It'a a Small World After All

You know that saying it's a small world? It is sooo true and some times even smaller than we know. The past two weeks our bishop had his mom visiting for their son's baptism. She went home this week and went to lunch today at Cafe Rio. While she was there she saw a group of missionaries and went to say hello. In the course of the conversation (cause you know with missionaries it's never just hello)she was asking where they were all from. One of them said that he was from Kansas. Well of course that got her attention since she was just visiting in Kansas. When asked where in Kansas this particular missionary responded Overland Park. Well I'm sure you've guessed by now who this missionary is. If not I shall tell you. It was Elder Sean Fackrell. Go figure. I really wonder what the chances are of that happening. I guess in Las Vegas the odds are in favor. Get it odds. Yeah I know it's a groaner. When I heard about this it just made my day.

January 2011 Family Update

Here it is the middle of January and not much to report.
Daryn continues to keep himself busy learning programming, techy stuff and working for Joe. He enjoys teaching in Primary. He team teaches the Sunbeams and can really relate to them.

Sean is doing well. He and his companion just relocated to a new home. It’s a really nice place and I think there will be no living with him after this. I’m glad though he has this chance. He is growing in so many ways while he serves the Lord.
Laura is anxiously waiting for the new semester to start. She has a full load this time around. Sixteen hours is a lot of credits to my thinking.

Bekah is so much fun to have around. She keeps things lively. School is going well for her. It’s hard to fathom that soon my baby will be graduating from high school. A new phase of life will be starting for me with this. Don’t know how I feel about it, but it’s just another part of life.

The Rathjen clan is doing well. Nathan’s job is going well. The CTR’s are just as cute as ever. The elder CTR is learning her colors and it’s fun to listen to her talk. I think her favorite color is red since that’s the one she uses so much. Little CTR is getting more vocal. He does this noise that Linda call his “man voice”. It’s kind of like a growl and makes me laugh.

Joe is still working hard. I’m truly appreciative of all that he does for our family. I don’t know how I got to be so lucky.

As for me, it’s been a rough month and a half and that’s all I will say on the matter except this; the doc increased my antidepressant. I am now on the highest dose of this particular medication. If that doesn't work then she said we would add Abilify to what I'm already taking. I'll let you know if it's successful or not. However, I will tell you what I've been doing otherwise. This past year I've been working on a doll house for my big CTR. I'm almost done with stitching the various parts which is a good thing as I'm wanting to start some other small projects. I can't do that until I'm at a good stopping spot. I want to try knitting again, but time will tell.

So that's about it for the month of January.

Snow Day #3 2011

This is what we in the KC area woke to this morning. A beautiful blanket of white covered everything. I'm sure glad I can just stay inside and enjoy the glittering white stuff from the comfort of my favorite chair.

I Love to See the Temple

I was able to drive by the temple site this week and snapped a few pictures. It's really happening. We are getting a temple in KC.

Eventhough it's not complete, there is still something special about just being at the site. Knowing that sometime around this time next year it will be in use is a wonderful thought.

Another Birthday

Last Thursday we (my fellow Pageturners and I) had a spontaneous birthday celebration for one of our members. Thanks to Maria's husband Chris who was so willing and kind enough to go get a cake for us. We have been together as a book group for 16, yes that's right 16 years. Right now four of us have sons on missions, 3 of us have married children, 1 grandma, 1 grandma to be, and moms with kids still in school. This is a pretty diverse group, but we still have fun.



Unfortunately one of us wasn't able to celebrate with us that evening. It's just not quite the same when we aren't all together. We missed you Darci!

Snow Bunny

Last week when we had snow, (it doesn't seem to be just last week) Linda, Nathan, and CTR sr went sledding. I got to watch CTR jr since he's just a bit too little to enjoy the fun. It was so funny to see CTR sr all bundled up. Kinda reminded me of the movie "Christmas Story", not one of my favorites by the way.


She lasted all of about 2 seconds before Linda brought her back to Nana's. Too late and too tired. But we had fun anyway, playing with the Duplos.



CTR jr has the right idea to stay inside with Nana and Grandpa.

Do You Really Want to Know?

I have been pondering on a custom that we people, and I'm assuming all over the world, do. It's a greeting that we say to one another, but I wonder if we ask this question because we really want to know or is is because we are just being polite in asking. That question being "How are you?" It's almost automatic to say this when passing someone in the hallway at school or even just talking on the phone. Do you just give the standard "I'm fine" even when you aren't or do you try to let others you're struggling? Just curious about what others think of this.

Kids Will Be Kids

I think I need to explain these shots. First of all CTR loves the cats in the family especially Sammy who is a kitten and resides with my brother-in-law's family.

Sammy has this little play house and when CTR sr. was visiting she wanted to play with the kitten inside the play house. I'm not sure how Sammy felt about the whole thing, but I think she was wanting to get away, but couldn't quite figure it out.

Sammy would try to get away, by going inside the house, but of course CTR would pick it up and dump the kitten out.
I know the pictures don't do the activity justice, but it was hilarious to watch.

Snow in Vegas

This is from Sean this week.

Today on the 3 day of 2011, here in Las Vegas Nevada, it has snowed! It was such a nice reminder that there is such a thing as snow here in the cold desolate desert! It was a good couple of inches too. Now that the holidays are over things will be picking up again! People won't be canceling last minute or anything like that. But biking in the cold is still the same. Only this time with snow. We actually were told not to bike in the snow so either we get a ride or we walk.

Angels in Vegas?

Elder Snow

Cats and Dogs

I was just thinking the other day how different cats and dogs are. You may be saying to yourself, "Well duh", but just here me out. Dogs are people pleasers. Cats please themselves. Dogs are loyal. Cats are indifferent. Dogs are patient. Cats will just barge in and make themselves known. A dog will wait for you to give attention whereas a cat does not care if you are working on the computer, but will lay across the keyboard to get their ears scratched.
But how can I say no to this, or this?

What Am I to Do With That Child

I just had Bekah tell me the most ridiculous thing. She said that her friend's mother thinks that Bekah is a bad influence.


At first I was offended by that. I got to thinking of all of Bekah's qualities, good and bad and couldn't for the life of me see what in the world this woman is thinking.



I'm not saying Bekah is perfect, cause she isn't. I can't tell you how many times I have almost tripped over her back pack or a pair of shoes that have been left in the middle of the floor.



But to say she is a bad influence, that just floors me.



When I think how ridiculous this is I just shake my head and wonder about some people.


Does this look like the face of someone who is a bad influence? I think not.

Still in the Box

I would like to say that it's this time of year that gets me down. Unfortunately that isn't the case this time. I've actually been able to do some things this year for Christmas that I haven't been able to do for a couple of years. The rest just is. For me, depression is like being in the middle of a box. I get close to the edge and find there's no way to get out. I go around and around looking for a gate and there isn't one. Add to that the inside of the box is pitch black and it's a no win situation. At least I had some time with the CTR's this last weekend and I got to talk with my missionary too. Those have been the highlights of the last few days.

Christmas 2010

Cat is in the tree at John and Diane's.


Bekah got art supplies to feed her new hobby.


Daryn helping my teddy bear open his present.

If looks could kill I just might be dead. My big CTR isn't too happy right here, but that changes in a few moments.



This is one of the gifts Laura received. Yes, it is a snuggie with a Jayhawk.

Every year at this time of year Joe and the kids ask me what I want for Christmas. I never know what to say so I always say a clean house, which for some reason I never get. I've also asked for a couple of years for a nice pair of diamond stud earrings. Nothing big mind you, but small ones that I could wear all the time. But for some reason I never get those either. This year I decided ask for something a little more tangible never thinking that I would get it. Well... I got what I asked for.

Funny thing is that really is what I wanted for Christmas. I wonder if there is some subliminal suggestion I'm telling myself with this

Christmas Lights

Every year at this time there are so many wonderful display of twinkling lights. It's been a tradition in our family to see certain homes every year. We added to that list this year that I think we will keep. Here are a few of them.


These are all at one house at 127th and Murlen. There must have been about 100+ inflatable decorations here, mostly of penguins. It even has a name Polly"s Penguin Playhouse



Linda, my big CTR, Lauren Goss, Dani Allee, Laura, and Becky Rathjen under one of the inflatables.




Even Santa supports the troops


The next stop is one that I have been doing since I was a little girl. The display is mostly the same year after year, but Mr. Babbick does a few things different to keep it fresh. This year one of the new additions was the red sleigh, perfect for a photo op.



I wonder where he parks his car?


Laura

Linda with CTR junior and Grandpa with CTR senior

My big blueberry

Linda with both CTRs

I'm sure someone thought this was funny, but something about this tree gives me the willies.


127th and Nelson in Olathe was a new stop this year. It reminded me of the displays at Longview Lake.



The neighborhood at 131st and Antioch. The whole cul de sac is decorated, but I just go a couple of the houses.





Last but not least, okay yes really least, my very own "Charlie Brown" tree